Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Aurora Chef Opens Emporio Trattoria in Nolita
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 9, 2009
Modified Apr 9, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 7
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 9, 2009
Modified Apr 9, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Fans of the Aururo Italian restaurants in Soho and Williamsburg may also enjoy Emporio, the new venture from chef/restaurateur Riccardo Buitoni, originally from Piedmont, Italy. Soft-opening tonight in Nolita, the "rustic Roman" restaurant is named after the Italian word for "local grocery store." Buitoni's seasonal menu hews toward a slightly lower price point than Aurora, and features Italian and local cheese, artisanal and house cured charcuterie, a raw bar, fritti, wood-fired pizzas, home made pasta and other traditional Roman entrees.
And in keeping with the grocery theme, we're told that all the organic produce and imported Italian goods used as ingredients can also be purchased to go. When Emporio gets its liquor license, the wine list will focus on classic Italian and NY state wines, ranging from $35 all the way up to $500, complementing a selection of craft beers. Given the recent SLA frowning upon BYOB restaurants, it's unclear whether you'll be able to bring your own bottle in the meantime. UPDATE: And now it is clear; the SLA has explicitly told Emporio that BYO is a No-no.
The newly renovated interior has been deliberately worn-in to evoke a 1920’s Roman grocery store, and the 80 seat space includes a large eat-in bar area, a communal dining table, a wood-burning brick oven and a glass sun roof that the owners plan to open up when and if the eastern seaboard ever warms up.
Emporio // 231 Mott Street (between Prince and Spring) // (212) 966-1234 // Open at 5 p.m., with a late night dinner menu from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m., and weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch to come soon.
Tagged
emporio
photos
restaurant
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .